Superman & Loismade a historic twist to theDC Universehero’s story in its latest episode, and I can’t help but notice how this presents some truly sad details about Clark Kent and his origin.Superman & Loisseason 4, episode 7places a heavy focus on the strain that being Superman has put on all the relationships that the Man of Steel has had. Clark eventually deciding to go public about being Superman in the episode appears to be the end result of these trials, adding some new context to his past and how it led to this point.
Theories concerningSuperman & Lois’endinghave circled for some time, and I believe that many may still wind up being correct. However, what is clear is that the vision and the endgame for the show is finally beginning to come into focus. After a truncated version of thestory of Superman’s death, the show has taken some interesting looks at his identity and how much it means to him. Following much of Smallville discovering Clark’s identity, several necessary components of his past are brought strikingly to light that I’m surprised I never thought about before.
Superman’s Origin Story Often Avoids Many Of Its Tragedies
The Loneliness Of Superman Growing Up As A Hero Has A Lot Of Different Layers
Many iterations ofSuperman’s live-action storyhave been told in the past, although some tragic parts of that history have not been as explored.Smallvillehad the time to develop the isolation Clark felt, but gave quick counterpoints to it through his successful, even if intermittently strained, friendships with characters like Lana and Pete.Man of Steelgave perhaps the best look at the loneliness Clark would have felt by exploring his relationship with his father.This carried some dark undertones, as he was forbidden from taking action in many cases.
However, with many adaptations involving the hero, a focus on Clark’s childhood is often used to center around him learning how to use his powers, and in order to show the compassion of Jonathan and Martha Kent. While this makes sense for building the grander story of the hero, it also makes Clark’s role inSuperman & Loisseason 4, episode 7 seem all the more sad, as his references to desperately trying to hide his powers since he got them - when he was four - highlight a tragic part of the character’s life that can easily be somewhat overlooked.
Indeed, throughout the episode, looks at the hero’s past are used to explain a complexity that is at the root of the character.This was not done in any of the Christopher Reeve films or the Brandon Routh version, which, while providing a complex version of the hero, I’d argue they did not meaningfully dive into his genuine loneliness and disconnection from others in the same manner.
Superman & Lois Underlines How Tragic Clark’s Origin Story Really Is
Superman & Loishas the time and the context required to explore this theme fully. By expanding Clark’s supporting cast, and being able to take time to also explore his humanity and compassion for those around him,examining the darker times in Clark’s life becomes manageable without turning the entire project dour. In looking at Superman’s childhood and prior relationships with old friends like Jimmy Olsen - and how Clark has had to distance himself from people he cares about - audiences get a more complex portrait of the hero.
Clark’s biggest secret has been an enormous part of his life, and living with the weight of that has been challenging for the heroic figure.While Clark has had Lois to lean on and depend on, he has been limited in what he has been able to share of himself with others.Even his own sons were not made aware of his secret until they became teenagers, something I find even more heartbreaking now, with the context that this decision would have been partially due to a very young Clark struggling to keep his secret.
Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman Is One Of The Most Complex Iterations Of The Character
Superman & Loishas done an excellent job in looking at Clark’s entire past, all the way back to the hero’s childhood. This is done in flashback sequences and also in conversations that examine the past in discussion with those that he loves.Clark’s past has been shown with a keen eye to his loneliness,as the show has given detail about his past friendships with characters, and also the distance he kept from them. His youth then led to a formative disconnection after the death of his father, which pushed Clark onto the path of self-discovery.
With Clark’s past behind him inSuperman & Lois,the creatives behind the series have had the flexibility to examine his past and origins in new and innovative ways that change the character’s legacy. In this way, the show provides a different look at Clark Kent’s youth to evenSmallville, as the latter series being focused entirely on that time period meant it did not always have the same creative freedoms thatSuperman & Loishas had when it comes to looking at this era of the hero’s life.
Superman & Lois Season 4 Episode 7 Recap & Ending Explained
Superman & Lois season 4 episode 7 manages to make a huge twist that’s been carefully teased throughout the season into reality for the DC show.
Superman & Lois' final season has explored some fascinating storylines, andI’ve found it to be a rewarding experience to discover so much about Clark and his past along the way. Seeing the different ways adaptations can unfold the hero’s narrative even decades after his creation helps to underscore why Superman has remained a cornerstone of the superhero genre for so long, and why he will no doubt continue to be going forward. Tyler Hoechlin’s version of Clark inSuperman & Loisis sure to remain a part of this on-screen legacy, helping define the character for years to come.
Superman & Lois
Cast
Superman & Lois follows the Man of Steel, Clark Kent, and journalist Lois Lane as they navigate the strains of contemporary parenthood while confronting threats from supervillains and alien invaders, blending personal challenges with heroic responsibilities in this 2021 television series.
